Can cover



c 4 1927 W. E. ROONEY CAN COVER Filed Feb. 10, 1923 mic Patented Oct. 4, 1927.

UNITED STATES v 1,643,958 PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER E. RODNEY. on slimmer-1AM. wasnrneawon, Assienon 'ro TI-IERMOKEZPT CORPORATION, or NEW YORK, N. Y., A CDEPOR-ATION or DELAWARE.

CAN GOVEE.

This invention relates to key opened can covers and has for its object the production of a standard can cover which is provided with means whereby any predetermined part of the disk portion of said cover may be quickly detached and removed from its annulus or outer rim for opening the can. A further object includes the productlon of a can cover which may be cheaply manufactured and which will reduce the production cost of the can with which it is used. Another object includes the production of a cover suitable and desirable for general application in connection with cans of widely varying capacity and use. The cover may be tested for leakage before being apphed.

Other objects will appear hereinafter and 1 attain these objects by the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which V I Fig. l. is a plan view of a cover made in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a View taken on lines 22 of Fig. 1. I. V

Fig. 3 is a view taken on hnes 3 Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a view taken on lines 1 l of Fig. 1, on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 5 is a plan view taken from the bottom or reverse side of that shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a view taken on lines 66 of Fig. n

Fig. 7 is a plan view showing the application of a key ready for opemng, and

Fig. 8 is an enlarged view taken on lines 88 of Fig. 5.

Like numerals refer to simllar parts throughout the several views. i

In the manufacture of large quantlties of cans for canning purposes, or for preserv ng vacuumized goods, the question of production cost forms a material and important factor. The general demand and desirability of cans for containers, after being opened, as well as ease of access, are likewise recogmzed factors which materially influence the sale of goods in cans. It is the prime olnect of my invention to meet the above stated and other conditions in a very simple and effective manner, and to this end I have constructed a concentrically scored circular can cover embodying my invention and illustra ting the principles thereof. a

I have mamas that by properly mama;

Serial No. 618,223.

coffees and the like'after the cans have been opened.

In the accompanying drawings, I have elected to illustrate an embodiment of my invention as applied to a standard can cover 12. which may be provided with a sanitary sealing rim 13, and an offset part 14. The oft-set part encloses a. central or major disk portion, whichcomprises a scored zone or area 15, and a central area or minor disk 16. The scored zone, or area, may be flat as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2-, 3 and 1,01" it may be headed, as is best shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 8. In either case is the scored zone formed and limited by parallel or concentric score rings 17 and 18 and the location and size of the scored zone determines the size and extent of the major disk and consequently also the size of the opening. when the scored zone is removed in the manner more fully set forth below.

These scores are of suflicient depth to insure easy removal of the area enclosed thereby when proper tool is applied, and said scores are preferably, on the under side of the cover. To provide an attachment lip, or key tongue 19, a. small area of the score zone is detached as is illustrated best in Fig. 3. This may be accomplished in any desired way, and I have elected to provide the necessary detachment tongue by extending the scores 17 and 18 through the surface, to form cuts as illustrated, at 23 and 24, in Fig. 8. An incision through the score zone at right angles to the scores is made to form the free end 20 of the tongue to which a key 21, or other opening tool, is attached when it is desired to open a can which has been sealed with my improved cover. A proper tongue cover 22, comprising a small piece of suitable sheet metal, soldered or otherwise intimately united on the inner side of can cover to protect the tongue the. ie se the he ding;

extends preferably to this inner side, and it is usually, though not necessarily, bounded by the two concentric score rings, depending upon the width of the score area that is to be removed when the key is turned for the purpose of removing the score Zone and thus removing the major disk area of the cover.

In the drawings, I have shown the larger score ring as being placed closely to the offset area, but obviously the score rings may be placed Where desired and the size of the Opening is governed ther by. In all cases, however, will the major disk be readily and neatly removed Without danger to the operator or any loss of the contents of the can that is thus opened. Inasmuch he usual can of today is circular and requires a round cover, I have SllOWl] my invention as being applied to that class of covers. It is obvious, however, that my invention is not limited to circular covers and that it is intended to include covers generally of Whatever form or shape.

It is further obvious that While I have described my invention and illustrated its application in a practical and useful manner,

I do not thereby desire to be unduly limited as obviously various modifications falling wholly Within its scope and spirit may present themselves to those versed in the art to which my invention appertains;

hat I claim therefor as new and useful, of my own invention and des're to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A can cover comprising a sealing rim and a depressed disk encoi'npassed thereby, said disk having a bead and score lines to set off said head, a portion of said score lines being cut through to Form a tongue and a cover for said tongue.

2. A can cover comprising a disk and a sealing rim surrounding said dish, a depressed bead formed in said disk and parallel score lines to mark a tearing strip, said tearing strip having the score lines cut through in part to form a tongue and a cover sealed over said cut part and tongue.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand on this 2nd day of February A. D., 1923.

WALTER E. ROONEY. 

